Spray/jet washing device

ABSTRACT

A machine for washing sand, leaves, small stones, stains, dirt and various other debris from the surface of tennis courts, driveways, parking lots and other hard surfaced areas by means of special purpose relatively high pressure jets and fans of water or other liquids comprising a network of conduits, valves are combined jet nozzle sets mounted bilaterally on the forward end of the base of a dolly&#39;&#39;s frame in such a manner that the nozzles and jets of each set lie one above the other in strict vertical alignment being angularly oriented from the vertical so as to provide three separate and distinct spray patterns to each side of the dolly which strike the wash surface at various acute angles at varying distances from the dolly. Selective valve operation permits either right side or left side operation as well as simultaneous left and right side operation. The effect of the nozzle jet arrangement is such that the side spray wash nozzle washes the area to its immediate front, thus forcing small debris outward and away from the dolly across the wash surface into the jet stream provided by the upper jet whereupon the debris upon entering ssid jet stream is forced and floated further away from the dolly to a distance greater than that which would have been achieved by the spray eminating from the wash nozzle alone. The lower jet which directs a narrow jet of liquied immediately behind the contact point of the wash nozzle&#39;&#39;s liquid spray fan and the wash surface serves to spread any puddles that collect on the wash surface, thereby materially assisting in reducing the drying time of the wash surface.

United States Patent Grant Oct. 21, 1975 [5 SPRAY/JET WASHING DEVICE tively high pressure jets and fans of water or other liq- [76] Inventor: Marsha" D. Grant Drawer Nu uids comprising a network of conduits, valves are 3128, El Paso, 79923 combined jet nozzle sets mounted bilaterally on the forward end of the base of a dollys frame in such a Filed? g- 1974 manner that the nozzles and jets of each set lie one [21] APP] 497,058 above the other in strict vertical alignment being angularly oriented from the vertical so as to provide three separate and distinct spray patterns to each side [52] [1.5. Cl 239/198; 239/287 of the dolly which strike the wash surface at various [5 Int. Clacute angles at varying distances from the Selec- [58] Field Of Search 239/287, 198 tive valve operation permits either right side or left side operation as well as simultaneous left and right References Cited side operation. The effect of the nozzle jet arrange- UNITED STATES PATENTS ment is such that the side spray wash nozzle washes 2,638,730 5/1953 Davidson 239/287 the area to its immediate from thus forcing Small 2,692,163 10/1954 Gee] 239/287 bris outward and away from the dolly across the wash 2,911,157 11/1959 Converse 239/287 su into the j stream provided y the pp j 3,423,027 1/1969 Small et al. 239/287 whereupon the debris upon entering ssid jet stream is 3,508,709 /1970 Small et a -m. 239/287 forced and floated further away from the dolly to a 1/1974 TUSCl'l et al. distance greater than that would have been Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Attorney, Agent, or FirmJames J. Brown, Esq

[5 7 ABSTRACT A machine for washing sand, leaves, small stones, stains, dirt and various other debris from the surface of tennis courts, driveways, parking lots and other hard surfaced areas by means of special purpose relaachieved by the spray eminating from the wash nozzle alone. The lower jet which directs a narrow jet of liquied immediately behind the contact point of the wash nozzles liquid spray fan and the wash surface serves to spread any puddles that collect on the wash surface, thereby materially assisting in reducing the drying time of the wash surface.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 1 of 4 3,913,837

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet2 of4 3,913,837

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet30f4 3,913,837

FIG. 5

FIST

SPRAY/JET WASHING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Since the advent of out-of-door hard stand areas, such as tennis courts, basketball courts, parking lots, driveways, service station servicing areas, etc., there has existed a need for the frequent washing and cleaning of their surfaces. The most normal and effective process employed to date to effect such cleaning has been to hose down the hard stand area with a garden hose. This method of cleaning, while being generally effective, has notable shortcomings in that an excessive amount of water is expended, puddling occurs in low spots across the surface of the hard stand, thus retarding drying, some areas escape being washed thoroughly by direct spray as they are overlooked by the operator of the hose due to blending of the color tones of the hard stand area when it becomes wet by drifting spray and because the hosing down of a hard stand area is exceedingly time consuming. Additionally, it is noted that the use of a garden hose for hosing down hard stand areas is also undesirable from the operators standpoint in that many and varied manipulations of the length of the hose are required to cover a large hard stand area and such manipulations, in addition to trapping debris along the length of the hose, cause the operator to become wet and uncomfortable.

The present invention provides a water spray/jet device that washes any given hard stand area with minimum water/fluid usage in approximately one third the time normally required to hose down the area. Further, it provides features whereby puddles are dispersed to assist drying, the length of the hose supplying the wash fluid does not interfere with the wash process, complete coverage of the wash area by high pressure spray is assured and operator personnel remain dry and comfortable during all phases of the wash operation. The invention has the additional advantage of being mounted in conjunction with conventional hose reel dollies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and unique tap pressure fluid spray and jet washing device mounted on a multiwheeled tubular frame with a hose reel dolly that effectively washes such hard stand areas as outdoor tennis and basketball courts, driveways, parking lots, service station servicing areas, etc'., in a minimum amount of time with a minimum expenditure of wash fluid while providing maximum operator comfort.

An important object of this invention is to provide a tap pressure spray and jet washing device that materially assists in removing puddles from hard stand wash areas, thereby reducing drying time of the wash area.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tap pressure spray and jet washing device that propels small foreign objects, litter and debris substantially away from the wash area. v

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tap pressure spray and jet washing device that is both efficient and economical to operate.

Yet, another object of this invention is to provide a tap pressure spray and jet washing device that cleanses the surface of the wash area as well as ridding it of loose debris.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a tap pressure spray and jet washing device that can be readily adapted to conventional hose reel dollies and may easily be propelled, manipulated and operated by a single operator.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tap pressure spray and jet washing device that provides maximum operator comfort by effectively minimizing operator contact with sprayed fluids.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a tap pressure spray and jet washing device that materially reduces the times required to wash hard stand areas by currently employed methods.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a spray/jet washing device that provides sufficient water pressure to cleanse a hard stand area without the employment of means to raise employed water pressures above that normally provided by city tap pressures.

These and other objects are accomplished according to the present invention which comprises a network of conduits, values and combined jet/nozzle sets mounted bilaterally on a multi-wheeled tubular frame with a hose reel dolly of otherwise conventional design, in essence, comprising as an entity a tap pressure spray and jet washing device for use on outdoor tennis courts, basketball courts and other hard stand areas.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the plumbing network installed on a dolly.

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the bilateral nozzle installation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a nozzle assembly.

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the tubular conduit frame.

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of nozzle assembly.

FIG. 7 is a top oblique view of water patterns produced by the present invention. I

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views the complete device is designated 1. The rigid conduit framework is designated 2, the right nozzle assembly 16 and the left nozzle assembly 23.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention 1 which, in essence,'comprises a dual plumbing network of valves, conduits, and left and right nozzle arrangements mounted by U-clamps 68 on a hose reel dolly 3 of previous art. Said dolly 3 providing a quick disconnect reel 4 for the storage of a length of garden hose 5, an integral swiveled conduit 6 which permits the transfer of fluids from the reel stored hose 5 through the swiveled conduit 6 to a female hose connector (not shown) which is firmly affixed to the dollys frame. A forward castered wheel 7 has been added to the dolly 3, thus converting it into a tricycular cart. Operation of the present invention is accomplished by a single operator 8 in the following manner: The operator first connects the free end 9 of the reeled hose 5 to a water source, such as water faucet 10 and opens said faucet to its maximum, thus allowing the pressurized tap water to flow to all points within the system. The

cart is then pushed to the area to be cleaned by the operator using his left hand 11 to push the cart and his right hand 12 to assist the unwinding or play out of the reeled hose from the reel 4. Upon reaching the area to be cleaned, the operator 8 positions the cart 3 on the surface to be cleaned 13 in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of the cart 3 is parallel with the longitudinal edge of the surface to be cleaned 13 and at a distance of approximately 4 feet inboard from the edge of said surface. The operator at this point activates the right spray and jet nozzle assembly 16 which is now facing the outer edge 17 of the surface 13 by opening of the right activating valve 18. Upon opening of the activating valve 18, three separate and distinct water patterns 19, 20 and 21 are ejected onto the surface 13 toward its outer edge 17, whereupon the operator 8 pulls the cart 3 rearward keeping its longitudinal axis parallel to the outer edge 17 of the surface to be cleaned 13, so as to clean that part of the surface which was lying rearward of the spray and jet water patterns. The operator 8 then reverses his direction and pushes the cart 3 forward with his left hand 1 1 playing out hose 5 as required with his right hand 12 to allow for distance traveled while maintaining the carts longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the outer edge 17 of the surface 13 to be cleaned until he reaches its longitudinal terminus at which point he manipulates the cart 3 angularly in such a manner that all remaining debris and dirt at his location are forced off of the side and end of surface 13 whereupon he turns off the spray and jet patterns he has been using and moves the cart 3 a carts width into the area he has just cleaned aligning the longitudinal axis of the cart 3 so that it is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tract he previously traveled across the surface of the area to be cleaned 13. Once the cart has been so placed and aligned, the operator 8 activates the left spray nozzle assembly 23, then pulls the cart 3 rearward cleaning the area to his left as he proceeds back across the area to be cleaned until he reaches the edge of area from which he originally started, whereupon he maneuvers the cart 3 into the area just cleaned to such a position that the carts longitudinal axis is parallel with the previously traversed path and the nozzles of the left activated spray assembly 23 are approximately 18 inches distant from the dirt line of the area not yet clean. The operator then pushes the cart 3 across the area he is cleaning, whereupon he repeats and continues the process previously described until he has traversed the entire area, thus removing all dirt and debris from said area Reference FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the present invention (1) comprises a rigid tubular conduit framework composed of two parallel L shaped conduits 24 and 25 spaced laterally apart which are joined at their upper terminus 26 and 27 by rigid cross conduits 28 and 44 in such a manner that the cross conduits longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the L shaped conduits vertical axes, thus, in essence, forming a vertical rectangular conduit framework closed at its upper terminus by cross conduits 28 and 44 and evolving at its lower terminus into two parallel and rigid conduits 29 and 30 which are connected perpendicularly to the rectangular conduit's framework at its lower terminus, said parallel and rigid conduits 29 and 30 terminating into tee-shaped manifolds 33 and 34 upon which are mounted a plurality of special purpose nozzles, each of which, when activated, producing unique jet patterns. Fluids are directed to the present invention 1 from a suitable source, such as water faucet 10, which in turn is in communication with garden hose 5 which communicates directly with conduit 41, a component part of hose dolly 3 of previous art which in turn is in communication with a length of garden hose 42 which communicates with manifold 43 (a tee fitting) which divides and directs the flow of liquids through conduits 44 and 28, which in turn are in communication with left and right gate valves 45 and 18 respectively. Said gate valves 45 and 18 may be opened singularly or simultaneously depending upon the operators desires for left or right operation of the spray jets and nozzles or for simultaneous left and right operation of the spray jets and nozzles. Opening of the gate valve 18 permits passage of pressurized tap fluids into pipe elbow 46 to and through conduit 25, elbow 56 and conduit 30 to manifold 34 (a tee fitting) whereupon fluid flows are divided and directed to wash nozzle 39 and to and through manifold 49, a tee fitting, to repulsion jet 38 and drying jet 40 whereupon the fluid is ejected from said nozzles and jets onto the surface 13 to be cleaned.

FIGS. 5,6,7, the left and right nozzle and jet assemblies are, in essence, mirror images one of the other and produce identical spray patterns on opposite sides of cart 3. Therefore, to simplify discussion, description of the composition and operation of the nozzle assemblies will be limited to a discussion of the left nozzle assembly. Said assembly comprises three separate and distinct nozzles which operate simultaneously, a wash nozzle 36 ejects a broad fan knife edge spray 19 which strikes the surface of the wash area 13 at a narrow acute angle of approximately 15 stripping dirt and debris from said surface and propelling it a short distance away from its original location in the direction of the spray. The repulsion jet 35 which is located above and in vertical alignment with the wash nozzle 36 ejects a narrow jet stream 21 which strikes the surface of the wash area 13 at an acute angle of approximately 30 at point 32 slightly forward of the wash nozzles broad fan spray's point of impact 22 with the wash surface 13 contacting the dirt and debris dislodged by the wash nozzles broad fan spray 19 and propelling it a considerable distance from cart 3 in the direction of the repulsion jet's jet stream 21. The drying jet 37 which is located below and in vertical alignment with the wash nozzle 36 ejects a narrow jet stream 20 which strikes the surface of the wash area 13 at a narrow acute angle of approximately 5 at a point 58 slightly rearward of the wash nozzles broad fan sprays point of impact 22 with the wash surface 13, scattering any and all puddles of fluid that have collected on wash surface 13, thus materially aiding the drying process of wash surface 13. Essentially, the nozzle jet assembly 23 consists of a body section composed of pipe tee 33 which performs two functions. The pipe tee 33 serves as a main mounting platform for all of the components of the nozzle system and also serves as a manifold to feed the vertically mounted nozzles and jets 35, 36 and 37. Pipe unions 47 and 48 extend laterally from the ends of pipe tee 33 and serve as connecting means on the right 47 for elbow 59 which incorporates wash nozzle 36 into its lower terminus 60. Elbow 59 also serves as a stabilizing and alignment mount for repulsion jet 35 which is fastened to upper surface of elbow 59 by adjustable strap clamp 61. Pipe union 48 extends from the left end of pipe tee 33 to serve as the connecting link between pipe tee 33 and pipe tee 14 which serves the purposes of acting as a mountingbase and as a manifold for repulsion jet 35 and drying jet 37. Connections from pipe tee 14 to the repulsion jet 35 consist of pipe union 53 and a 90 pipe elbow 31 which by suitable attachment fittings 15 is connected in turn to repulsion jet 35, which, in essence, is a length of copper tubing of small diameter, said jet being firmly attached to the upper surface of elbow 59 near its outer terminus 54. It is noted that repulsion jet 35 is mounted in such a manner that the outer terminus of elbow 59 extends outward from the cart 3 to a greater distance than does the tip of repulsion jet 35. This special arrangement prevents the repulsion jet 35 from being bent out of alignment by contact with foreign objects. Connections from pipe tee 14 to the drying jet 37 consists of a pipe union 55 and a 90 elbow 56 which by suitable attachment fittings 57 is connected in turn to the drying jet 37, which, in essence, is a length of copper tubing of small diameter, said jet being firmly attached near its outer terminus 63 to the upper surface of frame member 62 .by clamp 52 so as to maintain permanent alignment. It is further noted that the tip 51 of drying jet 37 is located at a distance short of the extension of the outer wall of elbow 59. to preclude its being knocked out of alignment by contact with foreign objects.

Alignment of the nozzles 35, 36 and 37, is accomplished by first setting the spray pattern 19 of the wash nozzle 36. when in proper alignment, the wash nozzle 36 projects a ground spray pattern that reflects spray an equal distance laterally to each side of said wash nozzle 36. Should the spray patterns be out of alignment, wash nozzle elbow 59 is rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise depending upon the direction needed to produce ground spray patterns of equal length laterally to both sides of wash nozzle 36. Once the proper wash nozzle adjustment has been accomplished, adjustment of the repulsion jet 35 and the drying jet 37 is possible. To adjust the repulsion jet 35, strap fastener 61 is loosened slightly and the repulsion jet 35 is tapped lightly either to the right or left of its longitudinal axis depending upon the direction of adjustment desired so that the point of ground contact 32 of its ejected jet stream 21 precisely bisects the fan shape ground pattern 19 projected by the wash nozzle 36. Once this lateral alignment has been obtained, strap fastener 61 is retightened to maintain the set alignment. Verti-adjustment of the repulsion jet 35 is accomplished by tapping the tip 5 of the repulsion jet 35 slightly upward or downward depending upon the longitudinal direction of movement of the point of cantact 32 of the repulsion jets ejected stream 21 with the surface of the wash area 13 outward from the cart 3 or inward toward the cart 3. Upward tapping of the tip 50 of the repulsion jet 35 moves the point of ground impact 32 of the jets ejected stream 21 outward along the stream s longitudinal axis. Downward tapping of the tip 50 of the repulsion jet 35 moves the point of contact inward along the streams longitudinal axis. Proper set ting of the repulsion jets longitudinal point of contact 32 with the wash surface 13 places said point of contact 32 approximately 6 inches outward from the point of ground contact 22 of wash nozzle 36 spray pattern 19.

The procedures for the lateral and longitudinal adjustment of the drying jet 37 follows precisely the adjustment procedures described above for the repulsion jet 35. Proper adjustment of the drying jet 37 is obtained laterally when the drying jets ejection stream 20 precisely bisects the fan shaped ground pattern 19 projected by the wash nozzle 36. Longitudinal adjustment is obtained when the repulsion jets ejected stream 21 contacts the wash surface 13 at a point approximately 6 inches behind the point of surface contact 22 of the wash nozzles spray pattern 19.

Various changes may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

Having described this invention, what I assert as new and pray issuance of letters of patent for, is:

1. A device for washing and sweeping planer surface areas which is adapted to be mounted on a multiwheeled vehicle and comprising: two L shaped conduits joined together at one end and adapted to receive a common source of washing fluid, the longer leg of each conduit extending parallel to the other and each being joined at its other end to a further horizontal conduit extending at roughtly right angles thereto, said horizontal conduits projecting in the same plane and parallel to one another and terminating in a set of three nozzles, each set of nozzles being generally directed outwardly in a direction perpendicular to said horizontal conduits; and each set of nozzles comprising: (1) a wash nozzle adapted to eject a broad fan knife edge spray which strikes the surface of the wash area at an angle of about l5, (2) a repulsion jet nozzle disposed above and in verticle alignment and with said wash nozzle adapted to eject a narrow stream of fluid at an angle of about 30 to the surface of the wash area and at a point slightly forward of the wash nozzle spray and, (3) a drying jet nozzle disposed below and in vertical alignment with said wash nozzle and adapted to provied a narrow jet stream which strikes the surface of the wash area at an angle of about 5 thereto at a point slightly rearward of the wash nozzle spray.

2. The device of claim 1 which is adapted to be mounted on a hose dolly provided with a plurality of wheels.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said hose dolly has two larger wheels disposed at the rear thereof and a smaller pivoting wheel disposed at the front of the dolly.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the supply of washing fluid to each of said set of nozzles is independently controlled by a separate valve means. 

1. A device for washing and sweeping planer surface areas which is adapted to be mounted on a multi-wheeled vehicle and comprising: two ''''L'''' shaped conduits joined together at one end and adapted to receive a common source of washing fluid, the longer leg of each conduit extending parallel to the other and each being joined at its other end to a further horizontal conduit extending at roughtly right angles thereto, said horizontal conduits projecting in the same plane and parallel to one another and terminating in a set of three nozzles, each set of nozzles being generally directed outwardly in a direction perpendicular to said horizontal conduits; and each set of nozzles comprising: (1) a wash nozzle adapted to eject a broad fan knife edge spray which strikes the surface of the wash area at an angle of about 15 (2) a repulsion jet nozzle disposed above and in verticle alignment and with said wash nozzle adapted to eject a narrow stream of fluid at an angle of about 30* to the surface of the wash area and at a point slightly forward of the wash nozzle spray and, (3) a drying jet nozzle disposed below and in vertical alignment with said wash nozzle and adapted to provied a narrow jet stream which strikes the surface of the wash area at an angle of about 5* thereto at a point slightly rearward of the wash nozzle spray.
 2. The device of claim 1 which is adapted to be mounted on a hose dolly provided with a plurality of wheels.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said hose dolly has two larger wheels disposed at the rear thereof and a smaller pivoting wheel disposed at the front of the dolly.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the supply of washing fluid to each of said set of nozzles is independently controlled by a separate valve means. 